We are united, event declares to LGBTTQ* people

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This article was published 09/07/2016 (3388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

STEINBACH — Standing in sun-dappled Ernie A. Friesen Park Saturday morning, it was hard to not be acutely aware of the fact history was being made: here is Steinbach — devout, conservative Steinbach — holding its very first Pride march. Here are drag queens in sky-high platforms standing alongside Omas in their denim capris. Here are signs that read, “A safe community? Oba yo! Homosexuality causes cancer? Na oba!” Here are people who are being themselves, being seen, without apology. Here are people from all over Manitoba supporting an LGBTTQ* community that often feels unsupported, isolated and rejected. Rainbows and glitter and love, all along Reimer Avenue.

You missed out on a pretty great time, Ted Falk.

While the Conservative MP refused to attend the event, about 3,000 people decided Steinbach Pride was worth the trip. Such as Peter and Denise Wohlgemut, who made the trip from Altona. You may recall Peter’s story; in 2011, the Grade 5 teacher caused a furor for displaying an ally card on top of the turtle tank in the classroom. Saturday, he is in his Pride finest — his hair is purple, and he has rainbow studs in his ears.

“To me, the biggest piece is the message this sends to southern Manitoba,” Peter says. “Some of the attitudes we’ve heard and read about in Steinbach are exactly the same in Altona. You’ll find the same thing in Winkler and Morden. If you are part of the queer community, you feel alone. It’s very isolating. To have this many people sends a very strong message that there’s a community backing them up.” Kids will know people will support them. “They may not see anyone like them at school; if they hear about people like them, it’s often not very positive. To hear about something like this, it’s hugely important.”

For the LGBTTQ* folks who grew up in the area, the event feels surreal. Emily Granger is there with her partner, Marshal Hodgins, and their two-year-old son, Henry. Granger was raised as a boy in La Broquerie, which is about 15 minutes east of Steinbach. Hodgins was raised as a girl. They both came out as transgender earlier this year, and they are transitioning together. “We’re lucky to have found each other,” Granger says.

Granger’s mother is from Steinbach, and “It was always scary a little bit if you were a bit different,” Granger says of the city. “It prevented me from admitting I was trans. It took me more than half my life, and I denied it for a very long time. Today, I feel confident to come out dressed as my authentic self.”

Granger and Hodgins have chosen to live in La Broquerie. “It’s nice,” Granger says. “It’s where I grew up. My dad’s my neighbour.” Her dad has been supportive of her transition; her mother is coming around. As for the community in general, it’s complicated. “I think that they quietly accept it, but they can’t publicly,” Granger says.

Like many of the people I spoke to Saturday, Granger is concerned about the Hanover School Division’s policy prohibiting discussion of LGBTTQ* issues in the classroom. As she puts it, if they really cared about the kids, they would care that not supporting a trans kid can have devastating consequences.

A common message repeated on many T-shirts and signs is yes, you can, in fact, be Mennonite and gay. Lesley Klassen, 38, and his partner are holding matching couple signs that read, “I love my Menno boyfriend” and, “I am the Menno boyfriend.” On the reverse, a simple message: “Better sex ed would have helped.”

“I think I would have discovered my sexuality earlier because I would have been aware of non-binary sexualities,” says Klassen, who went to school in Steinbach. “For me, it was about having some education to understand my feelings. I feel like I missed my teenage years. You don’t get to celebrate your own expression when you don’t understand it. Coming out as a bisexual took me until I was 27 years old because we never talked about (sexuality). It was a silent thing.”

He’s in awe of the turnout today. “This is incredible. I think it’s an important marker for Steinbach.”

Karen Ridd, and her 14-year-old son, Ben McIntyre-Ridd, came from Ste. Rita. “I teach, and I’m concerned about the high level of suicide and depression among LGBTQ and two-spirited youth. It’s so important to send the message that they are loved, that they are all part of us, that their diversity makes us better, that they add to all of us.”

She’s carrying a sign that reads, “We live in your riding, you represent us too, Mr. Falk.”

“Elected representatives are elected to represent the rights of their entire constituency,” Ridd says.

“So, whatever his personal opinion might be, this is actually an issue of rights. He is obligated to be supportive of the rights of his constituency. I’m disappointed he’s not here, and I’m particularly disappointed in the statements he’s made.”

Whatever the reason for attending Steinbach Pride — and there are myriad — people walked alongside each other. A lot of ink has been spilled in the days leading up to this event with national coverage painting Steinbach as narrow-minded and old-fashioned at best, and hostile and intolerant at worst.

That was not the Steinbach we saw Saturday.

jen.zoratti@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @JenZoratti